Did you know acupuncture works great for seasonal allergies? If you’re suffering from allergy symptoms, you’re not alone. Pollen allergy affects an estimated 35 million Americans each year, according to Web MD. Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and sinus congestion are just a few of the allergy symptoms people face each year as the pollen count rises.

While over the counter remedies such as antihistamines can help in the short term, many people find that these medications lose their effectiveness over time. Fortunately, natural treatment alternatives exist. Acupuncture has been proven to effectively reduce and even eliminate allergy symptoms. CNN reported research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine in March 2013 on the positive benefits of acupuncture treatment for seasonal allergies.

How does acupuncture work? By placing tiny, sterilized needles into just a few specific acupuncture points, acupuncture has been shown to boost your immune system. Better immunity helps you combat common allergens such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. According to Chinese Medicine, acupuncture boosts the ‘Wei Qi’ or protective qi that circulates just beneath the skin. Wei qi becomes weak due to common dietary factors such as excess sugar and not enough quality nutrition like fresh vegetables. Other factors include stress and lack of sleep. Acupuncture combined with good nutrition is a winning combination for seasonal allergies.

One of my patients had this to say about her allergy treatment. ” I have taken a combination of allergy medications for several years to minimize symptoms, without consistent relief. After Margaret’s first few treatments, I noticed a big difference.” (Google Review)

To read more, please see my Allergies & Asthma page complete with patient testimonials and research articles to see how acupuncture can help YOU with your allergies this season.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….or is it? When was the last time you felt relaxed around the holidays? Holidays have become synonymous with the word ‘stress’. But don’t worry, acupuncture treats holiday stress!

If you think about it, modern life is unbalanced. We work too hard, play too little, and consequently experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Add a few more tasks to the ‘to do’ list like preparing for guests, holiday shopping, traveling and you’ve got the perfect recipe for anxiety and stress.

Acupuncture treats chronic stress by moving stuck energy or stagnant ‘qi’. (Qi is the life force that flows through your body). Qi gets stuck when we are frustrated. Too much ‘to do list’ and not enough time creates a condition acupuncturists call ‘qi stagnation’. People describe qi stagnation as feeling ‘pent up’ or frustrated. Acupuncturists use hair thin needles to move your body’s qi which helps you relax. But how does it work?

Acupuncture Blocks Stress Hormones

Scientists have discovered that acupuncture actually affects the brain chemistry by blocking stress hormones. In fact, research published in the Journal of Endocrinology in 2013 demonstrated a reduction in ‘fight or flight’ hormones involved in stress response.

To read more on the acupuncture and stress reduction study: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314085528.htm

Feeling S.A.D.? Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. is a condition that describes feeling depressed in the fall and winter when the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. Acupuncture treatment is very effective for people who get S.A.D. But how does it work? First we must understand how acupuncturists view S.A.D.

Is S.A.D. a Disorder?

Is S.A.D. a disorder? It really depends on the severity of your symptoms. S.A.D. occurs during the change of seasons so it is called ‘seasonal’. Acupuncturists know that moods fluctuate with the seasons. Chinese medicine recognizes that our bodies are a microcosm of the natural world and that our bodies are composed of the same elements that occur in nature. As a smaller version of nature, we are intimately connected to changes that occur during seasonal cycles. Shouldn’t our moods be expected to shift accordingly?

In the fall, acupuncturists know that our energy is beginning to contract and pull inward – similar to what is happening outside our front doors as the leaves fall and trees begin to go dormant. With the waning of daylight hours and the cessation of plant growth, our ancestors would have gathered inside to hunker down for the season.

There is a natural desire to turn inward as the fall becomes winter. As we enter the dark cold winter months, it is normal to want to conserve energy as we seek to renew ourselves for the next cycle of expansion that begins with the first buds of spring.

Since contraction of energy in the fall and winter feels like the direct opposite of the outward expansive energy of spring and summer, we may mistake our feelings for depression. Our cultural aversion to anything that is not outright happiness doesn’t help us accept the inward, reflective cycle of the approaching winter season.

Acupuncture Treats S.A.D.

Seasonal moods are a natural part of our human design – it is normal for them to change as seasons turn. Acupuncturists know that the body is thrown off balance by any sort of ‘change’ – including the change of seasons. Adapting to change is a sign of good health and balance. But when you are unable to adapt to the change of season and your mood begins to affect your daily function it could be S.A.D.

The good news is – acupuncture can help with seasonal depression (or any type of depression for that matter). Acupuncture helps your body adapt to the change in season so you can ‘go with the flow’. Regular acupuncture treatments help people who are prone to S.A.D. adapt to the seasons more readily. People who get regular acupuncture report an overall balance in their emotional life with less severe ‘ups and downs’.

If all goes well, most people should be spending approximately one-third of their lives asleep. Sleep is one of the most important things you can do to live your best life, but most of us aren’t sleeping as well as we could be. There are a variety of reasons that you might not be getting the best night’s sleep. Some of these are: not sleeping on the right kind of mattress, improper diet, or bodily pain. If you’re not sleeping well, you might be tempted to try prescription medications. However, there are other options you may want to consider. I’ve successfully treated many people with acupuncture for a wide range of issues, including insomnia. Not getting the proper sleep? Read about these 4 alternatives to treat insomnia.

Acupuncture Treatment

years in Chinese medicine. A study published in the 2013 Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine found that four weeks of acupuncture can be an effective treatment to improve sleep quality for people with insomnia. Scientists tested acupuncture with meridian acupoints and three Anmian acupoints. It had the added benefit of bringing down levels of anxiety and stress. Acupuncture treats the root cause of insomnia by re-establishing the body’s equilibrium that disappears when you’re sleep deprived.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you change the behaviors and thoughts that are causing you problems in different areas of life. When it comes to sleep, people reported significant sleep improvements within six to eight weeks of starting therapy. CBT tends to work well in concert with other types of therapy, acupuncture, or medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has a wide body of research that shows its successes over time. If you think this might work for you, talk to your doctor.

Supplements for Insomnia

Many people want to avoid prescription sleep aids. The good news is, there are also some natural supplements that you can try to get similar effects without making you feel groggy the next day. Herbs like valerian root and lavender have been found to have calming effects that can help if you’re having trouble getting your anxiety under control. When it comes to actually falling asleep, you can use a supplement like melatonin in pill form. Melatonin is a chemical that your body produces to tell itself it’s time to go to sleep, so using the pills to bring your sleep cycles back into order could be useful. Consult your doctor before using melatonin if you are on prescription medications.

Yoga

The practice of modern Yoga has been part of a spiritual tradition in India for more than 5,000 years. It migrated West in recent history and is great for your mental and physical health. Adding yoga to your daily routine helps more the longer you practice. Many people report waking up with less aches and pains, and decreased work stress. There are several styles of yoga and even one on one yoga therapy. Try a few different types and see which ones work for you.

References

Effects of acupuncture with meridian acupoints and three Anmian acupoints on insomnia and related depression and anxiety state. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11655-012-1240-6

Got stress? Maybe you’ve got ‘Spring Fever’. Acupuncture is the best kept secret for stress relief! Many of my acupuncture patients are reporting increased irritability, anxiety, and PMS with the onset of spring. Some are feeling unusually tired. People with allergies, TMJ, tension headaches, migraines, and vertigo also tend to notice a flare-up this time of year. Acupuncturists call this ‘Liver Qi Stagnation’ which gets worse in the spring.

What’s Liver Qi? Spring is the time of year that the organ system called Liver gets unbalanced. No, not your actual liver – the Chinese ‘Liver’ system. Acupuncturists know that the Liver regulates energy flow throughout your body. A busy, stressed out life causes the Liver to clamp down on your energy system – a condition called ‘Liver Qi Stagnation’. Most Americans experience some form of Liver Qi Stagnation throughout the year. Symptoms may include frustration, teeth grinding, ear ringing, allergies, and PMS.

Why is it worse in Spring? Spring is a ‘strong’ season with an outward push of energy and wild weather swings. Our bodies are made from the materials found in nature so it makes sense that we would notice amplified stress or mood swings when spring arrives. Spring starts in February according to the Chinese calendar. So our 1st day of spring coincides with the middle of spring – a time when the Liver Qi is at its peak. Here in the west, we have the term ’Spring Fever’ which is described as a feeling of restlessness or laziness. If you’ve got pre-existing Liver Qi Stagnation, you’re likely noticing increased stress or fatigue. Perhaps your Liver Qi needs some attention.

4 Ways Move Your Liver Qi

Exercise Loosen up your Liver Qi with some exercise. Walking, running, or weightlifting are great ways to blow off steam. Yoga and Tai Qi are good additions for smoothing the body’s Qi and helping you relax.

Turn Off Your Cellphone ….and your computer for that matter. With increased connectivity we’ve become more stressed.Your Liver Qi gets tighter with every email, beep, notification, and text that comes in. Unplug and go for a walk – outside in nature if you can. Your Liver Qi will thank you!

Hang Out Schedule time with people who boost your mood. Nurture friendships and family ties. Go have some fun, or just chill out, preferably with people. Positive relationships create flow – in both your life and your qi.

In a 2009 study acupuncture was shown to be “as effective as short-term low-dose prednisolone [prednisone] for mild-to-moderate CTS. [Carpal Tunnel Syndrome] For those who do have an intolerance or contraindication for oral steroid or for those who do not opt for early surgery, acupuncture treatment provides an alternative choice.”

Many people ask if acupuncture is good for weight loss and obesity. Weight loss with acupuncture is such a hot topic that Dr. Oz reviewed it on his blog. Acupuncture is not a quick fix for such a complex problem as controlling your weight. But research shows that adding acupuncture treatment to your weight loss regimen can help. Losing weight involves multiple factors. Dr Oz says it requires a ‘multi pronged approach’. Read more

Weight loss is more successful with acupuncture. Obesity is rampant in our country and seems to be on the rise. Acupuncture for weight loss is proven successful in research studies.

Acupuncture Weight Loss Research

Research on acupuncture and weight loss show positive benefits for people with obesity. Most studies focus on auricular acupuncture tiny needles or magnets placed at key spots on the ear. Why would an acupuncturist treat the ear? The ear represents a small version of the human body – a microcosm of the larger macrocosm of the body. Many acupuncturists do not perform acupuncture weight loss treatment on the ear, however, so don’t be confused if your acupuncturist chooses body points exclusively.

Acupuncture Points for Successful Weight Loss

Acupuncture points on the body are known to affect brain chemistry and regulate hunger signals. Some of the major points for treating weight gain are located on the arms and legs near your knees and elbows, as well as near your ankles and wrists. One of the main points for weight loss is called “Stomach 36” or Leg Three Miles (Zusanli in Chinese). Stomach 36 is located on the muscle near your shin just below the knee about one hand’s width below the kneecap.

Legend has it that the “Leg Three Miles” point helped soldiers walk ‘three more miles’ when they would become fatigued on long marches. Stomach 36 known to increase energy production because it boosts metabolism by regulating stomach function. Chinese medicine recognizes that weight gain is caused by blockage in the acupuncture meridians, or channels that course through your abdomen and body. Certain foods block the acupuncture meridians because they affect the underlying organ system that regulates the meridian. Foods such as dairy, wheat, and sugar affect an organ system responsible for extracting energy from food. When the extraction process is disrupted, metabolism slows resulting in unwanted weight gain.

Chinese Medicine & Nutrition

Acupuncture doesn’t work alone – diet is important. Choosing lighter foods such as an abundance of cooked vegetables (not raw), rice, and small quantities or animal or vegetable protein helps keep the meridians flowing because these foods nourish the underlying organ system responsible for regulating the Stomach meridian. Bottom line? Acupuncture combined with proper food choices is a winning combination for weight loss.

Nutritional Counseling & Digestion Treatment

For more information on acupuncture for weight loss, digestive problems, and success stories, read our Acupuncture for Digestion page

For more information on Chinese medicine diet recommendations check out our Nutritional Counseling page for printable articles on how to make the Asian medicine diet a part of your healthy lifestyle for 2014!

In 2002 Bob Flaws reported the results of a study treating restless leg syndrome with acupuncture. “Twelve of the 18 cases in this study were judged cured. This meant that bilateral pain and strange, uncomfortable sensations disappeared. Another six cases were judged to have gotten a marked effect, meaning that their lower limb pain or uncomfortable sensations, were decreased. Therefore, the total amelioration rate was 100% using this protocol.”

Cohort description: Among the 18 patients in this study, there were six males and 12 females aged 54-72 years, with an average age of 63 years. All suffered from RLS. The disease course had lasted from as short as three days to as long as 16 months. In 10 cases, this was the initial diagnosis. The other eight cases had been previously diagnosed and treated with Western medicine but without effect.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) & Acupuncture Vol II

All these needles were retained for 20 minutes and one treatment was given per day, with 14 days equaling one course of treatment. Patients were reassessed after 1-3 such courses of treatment and, during the time of this treatment, Western medications for this disorder were suspended.

Treatment outcomes: Twelve of the 18 cases in this study were judged cured. This meant that bilateral pain and strange, uncomfortable sensations disappeared. Another six cases were judged to have gotten a marked effect, meaning that their lower limb pain or uncomfortable sensations, were decreased. Therefore, the total amelioration rate was 100% using this protocol.

Looking for natural treatment for digestion? Digestive problems such as acid reflux, indigestion, upset stomach, belching, bloating, and occasional diarrhea are considered by most people to be ‘normal’ because so many people experience these symptoms – sometimes on a daily basis! But difficulty processing your food is far from normal and has long term consequences to your health.

When you aren’t properly digesting your food, vital nutrients are passing through the digestive tract, largely unabsorbed. Taking vitamins doesn’t help because if you aren’t utilizing your nutrients due to poor digestion, the vitamins are not going to be absorbed either. Western medicine offers several pharmaceutical options that control symptoms but when you take away the drug, the symptoms return. Drugs are not a cure, they are a mask.

Acupuncture to the rescue! I have studied a wonderful technique, Dr. Tan’s Balance Method which treats every type of digestive problem. By balancing the underlying energy disturbance at the root of the dysfunction, your body returns to normal functioning and stops generating uncomfortable symptoms. Dr. Tan’s Balance method has worked wonders for many who thought they were destined to either live with their digestive problems or to mask their symptoms with pharmaceutical drugs. Read this article to learn more. Although written for acupuncturists, if you scroll down to the ‘Case Studies’ you can read how this amazing acupuncture technique helps heal the imbalances that are causing your digestive problems.

Most of the patients I see in my clinic suffer from a variety of digestive disorders. They do not effectively process their food. They have diarrhea, heartburn, and acid reflux disease. They’re nauseated.

And who would expect any different? In this fast-paced, high-technology culture, we’re overrun with time constraints and stressors of all kinds.

People unaware of what a good diet consists of rely on processed fast foods and meats packed with hormones and antibiotics. In the West, we’re overprescribed antibiotics and other medications; women are reeling from the side-effects of birth control pills; and we regularly take any of a myriad of anti-inflammatories for the slightest ache. It’s no wonder so many people are experiencing internal disharmony. And if all of that wasn’t enough, most people either don’t know how to, or are afraid to, release their emotions. Opting for a sense of control, they “hold.” And they get constipated.

The digestive system is a mirror to how we process our external world on every level. Are we assimilating good nutritional, emotional and spiritual nourishment, and effectively eliminating what is toxic to us? Are we letting go of negative situations and allowing ourselves to be nurtured by positive ones? Without the foundation of a healthy, properly nourished body, we can’t find the strength to feed into our emotions. If there’s a backlog of undigested emotions, any digestive symptom can manifest. Once balance in the body is established by poor nutrition and digestive functions, we gain the platform to integrate our internal and external worlds.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches us to properly diagnose and treat our patients using staid, ancient teachings recorded thousands of years ago. People don’t change from century to century, but their circumstances do. The environment, food, medications, and stressors affecting our patients are very different today, and since the disharmonies that cause them are rampant, digestive disorders are also rampant. Diagnosis and treatment according to the TCM model, written in (and for) a different time, can therefore be complicated and confusing.

Now, imagine a group of acupuncture points that could be used to balance every kind of digestive disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, ulcerative colitis, indigestion, and more. Imagine that the points are simple, easy to follow, and quite effective. There is no need to take the pulse, no need to consult a textbook, and no need to fumble through myriad causes. Wouldn’t that be magic? It is, thanks to Dr. Teh Fu “Richard” Tan.

Dr. Tan has dedicated his life to experimenting with combinations of points, which are used with excellent clinical results, often instantaneously. Isn’t that what we, as practitioners, want – to insert our needles, see an immediate change, and know our treatment is working? With the eight magic points, Dr. Tan offers the ability to elicit consistent, positive results.

One could consult any number of the core books written on TCM theory, but isn’t the practice of acupuncture – of healing – about how much better the patient feels after being treated? Better to learn the laws of acupuncture, become skilled at them through knowledge and discipline, and then break out into your own successful expression of them.

Liver 8 (Dr. Tan’s liver point) and GB 34p (Dr. Tan’s gallbladder point) are found in locations not traditionally known. According to Dr. Tan, needling these points is more effective. Dr. Tan’s liver point is located anterior to Sp 9 on the medial condyle of the tibia, a rich region oddly ignored throughout history. The area can sometimes be very painful to the touch, but it can be more useful than Liver 3 in treating any stagnation in the Liver channel, especially when it is attached to the emotional disorders of resentment and anger.

GB 34p is located posterior to GB 34, just under the head of the fibula, where the tendon attaches. When penetrated, the point radiates electrically down to the foot, just as P 6 goes to the finger. It works better than GB 34, and is more sensitive. If both Liver 8 and GB 34p are tender, it can indicate an emotional component to the disorder. I regularly use this treatment for digestive ailments, with excellent results.

Case Studies

A 28-year old female came to me with anxiety and constant, burning pain in her epigastric area, something she’d experienced for much of her adult life. She was highly sensitive to many foods and didn’t eat much. Most of the medical specialists she consulted gave her the same patent answer: “There’s nothing wrong with you; it’s all in your head.” She was very nervous and skeptical about acupuncture, but she was also desperate.

After the third treatment with the eight magic points, her gastric burning and discomfort began to diminish. I continued seeing her twice a week. A month later, she was eating comfortably, and was fairly calm. She’s received so much relief from the eight magic points that even a job transfer hasn’t kept her from traveling to continue occasional treatments with me.

I have found the eight magic points useful for patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation, as it is a wonderful balancing treatment. A 40-year old female with breast cancer was just finishing her course of radiation when she came to me for acupuncture. She looked literally lifeless. Mostly bedridden, she had become frail, pale and weak. Given her delicate digestion and poor appetite, she wasn’t getting the nutrients she needed to recover her strength. I kept the treatment simple, using light needling with the eight magic points. When she returned to me for our second session, a light had already turned on in her eyes. Even her family noticed the dramatic difference in her qi. Continuing treatments, she began her recovery from the adverse effects of radiation.

A pregnant woman, 28, experiencing severe vomiting and persistent nausea, came to my clinic for help. I chose to use the eight magic points, but substituted LI 3 for LI 4, which is forbidden during pregnancy. Her symptoms abated immediately. She continued with me throughout her pregnancy, and ultimately had an unusually easy delivery. She is now the mother of a healthy, contented newborn.

The eight magic points performs wonders on people experiencing emotional upset, especially women with hormonal imbalances. A 42-year old female experiencing perimenopausal symptoms came to see me for her emotional distress. Hypersensitive to everything and everyone, she felt deeply depressed and completely controlled by her emotions. She was so anxious that she couldn’t eat; she couldn’t even lie still on my table for more than 20 minutes without getting antsy. I explored my toolbox of protocols and decided intuitively to try the eight magic points. At her next treatment session, she raved about how much better she felt. I continued using the eight magic points, which became the antidote for her intense emotional imbalance.

Learning From Dr. Tan

The first six months of my apprenticeship with Dr. Tan consisted of simply observing him in his bustling clinic. I was to ask no questions. He told me, “Once you learn it in your heart, your mind will understand.” The Chinese teach by familiarity, which leads to an instinctual knowing (the tiger). Once the ground of knowing is established, the “why” is understood (the wings). The student becomes familiar by watching; masterful and responsive through doing and observing results; and, once they’ve grown their wings, creative, by developing a style uniquely theirs.

I’m just getting my wings under Dr. Tan, but my clinical practice has long taken flight with the success of these treatments and the tremendous results my patients experience. The beauty of a protocol like this is that, as with magic, we don’t have to understand why it works, because we see for ourselves that it works. Consider the eight magic points. See for yourself that it is magic